Floor Statements

I appreciate the gentleman's yielding me this time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 2, a bill that would repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

The Affordable Care Act, signed into law in March of 2010, is an important first step in reforming our health insurance system, a system that everyone knows is broken. The Affordable Care Act provides access to the insurance market for millions of Americans, puts in place important consumer protections, and reduces our country's deficit.

This new Congress was elected promising a transparent process with input from all Members. This repeal bill, however, has not even been considered by a single committee in the House. Members are also being shut out of the process.

I cosponsored four amendments submitted to the Rules Committee; none were accepted.

I cosponsored an amendment to ensure that women continue to receive the protections provided by the Affordable Care Act. The Republicans did not allow this amendment to come up to the floor.

I cosponsored an amendment to ensure that all seniors will continue to receive the increased benefits in Medicare and that the doughnut hole will continue to be closed. The Republicans did not allow this amendment to come up for a vote.

I cosponsored an amendment to ensure that small businesses continue to receive the tax cuts provided for in the Affordable Care Act. The Republicans didn't allow this amendment to come up for a vote.

I cosponsored an amendment to ensure that we are responsible stewards of our Federal budget and to prevent this repeal bill from adding to the deficit. The Republicans did not allow the amendment to come up for a vote.

This new Congress ran on a campaign of lower taxes on small businesses and reducing the Federal budget deficit. This bill, however, would raise taxes on small businesses and individuals and add a trillion dollars to the deficit.

Just to be clear, a vote for this bill will be a vote for higher taxes and increases in the deficit. Although there is an effort to bring this repeal bill to the floor today, what is being proposed in place of affordable care? Nothing.

My office has dealt with this for years. Please, vote ``no'' on this bill.

The great State of New York certainly sends their wishes and their prayers to the great State of Arizona. New York State went through a horror the same as Arizona is going through now. It's so parallel it's scary. Six killed, 20 injured, my husband dying, murdered, my son shot. But this is really a message of hope because my son did survive. Many of the victims survived.

But I think the wonderful thing that needs to be out there are the prayers that came through from all parts of this country.

Gabby's staff, you are suffering terribly. Those that have died, your families are suffering terribly. And those that have been wounded have to go through the pain to heal. What I will say to all of you, time will heal you. You will never forget, but time will make you smile again.

Gabby would be so proud of this Chamber today. One of the things that Gabby is known for is how bipartisan she is. And she has brought this Chamber together. It's just a shame that a tragedy has to bring us all together. You know, Gabby's going to be fine, and she will be back here. And she'll be over there hugging people, talking to people. But that's what we as a Nation have to learn. We can disagree, but we need to work together. That is what Gabby wants, and that's what she'll push when she gets back here.

So with that, the prayers of this Nation go to all. God bless our country, God bless the victims.

Madam Speaker, I was unavoidably absent on December 21, 2010. If I were present, I would have voted on the following:

H. Res. 1771, Waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules, and providing for consideration of motions to suspend the rules--rollcall No. 657--``yea''.

H.R. 6540, Defense Level Playing Field Act--rollcall No. 658-- ``yea''.

H.R. 5116, America COMPETES Reauthorization Act--rollcall No. 659-- ``yea''.

H.R. 2142, GPRA Modernization Act of 2010--rollcall No. 660--``yea''.

H.R. 2751, FDA Food Safety Modernization Act--rollcall No. 661-- ``yea''.

H.R. 3082, Making Appropriations for Military Construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010 and for other purposes--rollcall No. 662--``yea''.

H.R. 6547, Protecting Students from Sexual and Violent Predators Act--rollcall No. 663--``yea''.

Madam Speaker, with the ninth anniversary of September 11th having passed, it is important to remember not only those who were lost that tragic day, but also the sense of purpose and togetherness that shined in the aftermath of, no doubt, one of the most difficult days in our nation's history. Heroic first responders deserve utmost recognition for selflessly digging through the ruins of Lower Manhattan in hope of finding survivors. The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, a bill that I am proud to be an original cosponsor of, provides just that by extending and improving protections and services to individuals directly impacted by the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

Since our inception, we, as a nation, have grown stronger by protecting and honoring the sacrifices of our citizenry. This legislation is the embodiment of that mantra. As a New Yorker, not a day passes without thought of the horrific attacks of September 11th, this legislation will no doubt go a long way to provide first- responders with peace of mind.

During House floor consideration and passage of the James Zadroga 9/ 11 Health and Compensation Act on Wednesday, I was unavoidably absent from Washington due to a family health emergency. I have had the privilege of working closely with my New York colleagues in both the House and Senate on this legislation, and I am extraordinarily happy that the Congress was able to pass this bill before the adjournment of the 111th Congress.

Madam Speaker, I was unavoidably absent on December 17, 2010. If I were present, I would have voted on the following:

H. Res. 1377, Honoring the accomplishments of Norman Yoshio Mineta-- rollcall #648: ``yea.''

Senate Amdt to H.R. 1107, To enact certain laws relating to public contracts as title 41, United States Code, ``Public Contracts''-- rollcall #649: ``yea.''

H.R. 6523, Ike Skelton National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011--rollcall #650: ``yea.''

Senate Arndt to H.R. 628, To establish a pilot program in certain U.S. district courts to encourage enhancement of expertise in patent cases among district judges--rollcall #651: ``yea.''

H. Con. Res. 336, Providing for the sine die adjournment of the second session of the One Hundred Eleventh Congress--rollcall #652: ``yea.''

H. Res. 1776, Providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 105) making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2011 and for other purposes--rollcall #653: ``yea.''

H.R. 2142, GPRA Modernization Act of 2010--rollcall #654: ``yea.''

H.R. 5510, Aiding Those Facing Foreclosure Act of 2010--rollcall #655: ``yea.''

Madam Speaker, the Continuing Resolution that passed in the House of Representatives today will keep the government funded at the current level through March, 2011, allowing operations to continue for programs that would otherwise have expired. Nationwide, we are continuing to recover from difficult economic times. It is more important than ever that the federal agencies and the programs they administer, which so many states and individuals depend on, receive the federal funding they need to operate without interruption.

During House floor consideration and passage of this legislation, I was unavoidably absent from Washington due to a family health emergency. However, I am pleased that my colleagues passed, this important legislation, which I strongly support.

Madam Speaker, I was unavoidably absent on December 16, 2010. If I was present, I would have voted on the following:

On Motion to Adjourn--rollcall No. 639--``nay''.

S. 841, Pedestrian Enhancement Safety Act of 2010--rollcall No. 640-- ``yea''.

S. 3860, To Require Reports on the Management of Arlington National Cemetery--rollcall No. 641--``yea''.

S. 3447, Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act of 2010--rollcall No. 642--``yea''.

H. Res. 1766, Agreeing to the Amendment--rollcall No. 643--``aye''.

H. Res. 1766, Agreeing to the Resolution, as Amended--rollcall No. 644--``aye''.

S. 987, International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage Act of 2010--rollcall No. 645--``yea''.

H.R. 4853, Levin of Michigan Amendment--rollcall No. 646--``aye''.

H.R. 4583, Motion to Concur in the Senate Amdt to the House Amdt to the Senate Amdt--rollcall No. 647--``aye''.

Madam Speaker, I was unavoidably absent on December 15, 2011. If I was present, I would have voted on the following: H.R. 5446--rollcall No. 631--``yea''; H. Res. 1759--rollcall No. 632--``yea''; S. Con. Res. 72--rollcall No. 633--``yea''; H.R. 6205--rollcall No. 634--``yea''; H. Res. 1764--rollcall No. 635-- ``yea''; H. Res. 1761--rollcall No. 636--``yea''; H. Res. 1743-- rollcall No. 637--``yea''; H.R. 2965--rollcall No. 638--``yea.''

Madam Speaker, I was unavoidably absent on December 14, 2011. If I was present, I would have voted on the following: S. 1405--rollcall No. 628: ``yea''; S. 3167--rollcall No. 629: ``yea''; and H.R. 6510--rollcall No. 630: ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, today we are going to be voting on H.R. 5987, the Seniors Protection Act.

For the second year in a row, our seniors have not received a cost- of-living increase for Social Security recipients. The Consumer Price Index that is used to calculate the cost-of-living increase does not take into account what our seniors face on a daily basis. We do need to change how the cost-of-living adjustment is calculated and ensure accurately that the rising costs that seniors face are addressed. I hope that we have an opportunity to address that in the next Congress.

Today, however, we do have a vote coming up for that, and I hope everybody will support it. H.R. 5987 will provide a one-time $250 payment to seniors in place of the annual cost-of-living adjustment. This will help our seniors offset the rising costs that they face.

Many of us, myself included, introduced legislation in 2009; and today I am happy that we have come to a conclusion that we need to do this today.

I know that the President had said that Congress should pass this. I am pleased that we are finally taking up this bill today, and I ask all of my colleagues for their support.

I want to thank my colleagues, Mr. Sablan and Mr. Guthrie, for supporting this. I rise in support of S. 3817, the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Reauthorization of 2010. First, I want to thank Chairman Miller and Ranking Member Kline for their hard work, and certainly the staff who have worked very hard on this issue also. I also want to thank Senators Harkin and Dodd for their leadership on getting this bill through the Senate.

Abuse, neglect, and fatalities are significant concerns for all of us in this Nation, and I am proud that we are addressing this today.

As a nurse for over 30 years, I have seen firsthand the risks and illnesses that can result due to abuse and neglect. A concern which surfaced during the hearing in my subcommittee when we held a hearing on this topic was that child abuse does not respect State lines. As a result of the hearing, I introduced a bill called Protecting Children Across State Lines Act. I am proud to have provisions of my bill included in the CAPTA legislation.

My provisions do two things. One, they require data to be collected showing which reports are screened out on the basis of multiple State authorities being involved. Two, they clarify that the State task force recommendations for comprehensive protection of children should address issues in which multiple State authorities are involved.

We know that children who experience or witness abuse or neglect have their sense of security, trust, and safety shaken to the core. Studies show that young children are more likely to be reported as victims. The maltreatment rate for infants is 21 percent compared to 13 percent for children of ages 1-3. Neglect is one of the most troublesome problems that we face in this area.

In fact, more than 60 percent of children who come to the attention of child welfare authorities are victims of neglect. Sometimes these cases of neglect happen due to the simple fact

that parents need assistance. These parents are not monsters, they just need to be connected with available services or need help with basic parenting skills. We know from studies that the impact of chronic, long-term neglect is devastating to the development of children.

Victims of abuse and neglect are more likely to have delays with language or cognitive skills. They are more likely to be arrested for truancy. We also know they have poor health outcomes as adults.

Over 35 years ago, Congress enacted CAPTA to create a single Federal focus on child abuse and neglect. The rates of physical abuse have decreased in recent years, but the rates of neglect have remained constant. Difficult financial times can lead to violence, and victims with fewer personal resources become more vulnerable.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to vote for this bill. This is for the children of this Nation. I urge Members to support S. 3817.

Madam Speaker, I firmly support H.R. 5114, the Flood Insurance Reform Principles Act of 2010, and requested to be a cosponsor, with consent from the bill's principle sponsor. Unfortunately, under House Rules, cosponsors may not be added to legislation once a house report has been filed for that legislation.

I have worked tirelessly on this issue, both with my colleagues on the Financial Services Committee, as well as Senator Schumer. I remain committed to working on reforming the National Flood Insurance Program, and will support this again, should it return to the House for a final vote.

When we reconvene for the 112th Congress, I will work with the bill's sponsor to ensure this important legislation is reintroduced.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 3307, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. I want to also thank Chairman Miller for his leadership on this issue. I also want to thank all of our staff who have worked so hard on this bill. Finally, I would like to thank the nutrition and anti-hunger groups who have helped raise the awareness of this very important issue, including those in my district.

In the Healthy Families and Communities Subcommittee, which I chair, we have worked hard over the last two Congresses on how we should address many of the important issues through child nutrition reauthorization, including how we can reduce childhood obesity. I'm proud that this bill contains provisions from bills which I have introduced, which will promote nutrition and wellness in child care settings and support breastfeeding for low-income women.

As a nurse for over 30 years, I have seen firsthand the risks and illnesses that can result from obesity. Childhood obesity, diabetes, and heart disease are all on the rise in the United States. And one of the best tools we have to combat these illnesses is our ability to apply wholesome and healthy nutrition to children in our schools. Childhood obesity is found in all 50 States, in both young children and adolescents. It affects all social and economic levels.

There is no silver bullet to solve childhood obesity. However, the School Breakfast and Lunch programs can make a great impact because they may provide more than 50 percent of a student's food and nutrient intake on school days.

Given the current harsh financial realities for many families in my district and throughout the Nation, schools have an increasingly important role to play in providing children with nutritious food during their days. We also know how critical it is to reach children as soon as possible. While the bill doesn't include everything our House- passed bill contained, it is a strong, commonsense, and hopefully bipartisan effort to improve access to healthy food to all children.

I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill.

Madam Speaker, I'd like to thank Chairman Miller for his leadership on this issue.

I'd also like to thank all of our staff who have worked so hard on this bill.

Finally, I'd like to thank the nutrition and anti-hunger groups who have helped raise awareness of this very important issue, including those in my district.

In the Healthy Families and Communities Subcommittee, which I chair, we have worked hard over the last two Congresses on how we should address many important issues through child nutrition reauthorization, including how we can reduce childhood obesity.

As a nurse for over 30 years, I have seen firsthand the risks and illnesses that can result from obesity.

During our bipartisan subcommittee hearings, committee members have heard testimony about studies that one in five 4-year-olds is obese, that kids have the arteries of middle-aged adults, and that the number of children who take medication for chronic diseases has jumped dramatically.

Some of these reports are shocking, and unfortunately, some are not.

Childhood obesity, diabetes and heart disease are all on the rise in the U.S. and one of the best tools we have to combat these illnesses is our ability to provide wholesome and healthy nutrition to children in school.

Childhood obesity is found in all 50 States, in both young children and adolescents, affecting all social and economic levels.

Low income communities tend to have the highest obesity rates due to factors such as a lack of access to affordable, healthy foods, lack of safe, available venues for physical activity, and a lack of education about nutrition and its benefits.

Furthermore, it has been found that minority children are at the greatest risk for obesity.

There is no silver bullet to solve childhood obesity.

However, the School Breakfast and Lunch programs can make a great impact because they may provide more than 50 percent of a student's food and nutrient intake on school days.

Given the current harsh financial realities for many families in my district and throughout the Nation, schools have an increasingly important role to play in providing children with nutritious food during their days.

I also hear from folks in schools finding it more and more difficult to meet the increased demand for meals with healthy, nutritious and high-quality foods, without adequate funding.

We also know how critical it is to reach the youngest children and infants as soon as possible.

I am proud that this bill contains provisions from bills I have introduced which will promote nutrition and wellness in child care settings, and support breastfeeding for low-income women.

We know that change for adults is hard, but if we start to educate our kids early enough, we can establish lifelong habits and the values of healthy living and wellness for the future.

The bill before us contains provisions which are very important to a great number of children.

While the bill doesn't contain everything our House-passed bill contained, it is a strong, commonsense, and hopefully bipartisan effort to improve access to healthy food for children.

But by taking a comprehensive approach to nutrition, our children, families and communities will all be healthier.

I urge my colleagues to vote yes on this bill.

I want to thank Ms. Woolsey, who is my colleague on the Education Committee and who has been working with me on this also, and I want to thank Mr. Roe from Tennessee for bringing this up.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1598, a resolution supporting the recognition of National Work and Family Month. I think my colleague, Ms. Woolsey, really spoke about the essence of the bill, so I am going to speak a little bit shorter on this.

I want to thank Representative Platts for introducing this resolution with me, and I want to thank Chairman Miller and Ranking Member Kline for bringing this resolution to the floor today under suspension.

This resolution highlights the need to focus on a healthy work and family balance. Study after study has shown that finding the right balance between work responsibilities and family obligations is one of the most important things for all of our workers. Workers who have a better work-family balance have better overall health and have less stress. Children also benefit from having their parents available more often. Employees who are able to spend enough time with their families are happier at work and are more productive than those employees who do not have enough time to spend with their families. Achieving a work- family balance is good for all employers, employees and their families.

This resolution just basically asks all Americans to consider how to achieve a healthier work-family balance, to increase the quality of life for our employees and their families and improve productivity for our employers.

Thank you, and I urge the passage of this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 323) supporting the goal of ensuring that all Holocaust survivors in the United States are able to live with dignity, comfort, and security in their remaining years.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Concurrent Resolution 323 into the Record.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Concurrent Resolution 323, which supports the goals of ensuring that all Holocaust survivors in the United States are able to live with dignity, comfort, and security in their remaining years.

During the Holocaust, which took place between 1933 and 1945, the Nazis and their partners murdered an estimated 6 million Jews and other targeted groups. Those who survived torture and forced labor under Nazi occupation continue to live with the scars of this horrible tragedy.

This resolution supports the goal of ensuring that all Holocaust survivors in the United States are able to live with dignity and comfort in their remaining years. I applaud the nonprofit organizations and agencies that work extensively to honor and assist the Holocaust survivors in their communities.

This resolution urges the administration and the Department of Health and Human Services, in conjunction with the Administration on Aging, to provide Holocaust survivors with needed social services through existing programs.

Lastly, the resolution encourages the Administration on Aging to develop and implement programs that ensure Holocaust survivors are able to age in place in their communities and avoid being institutionalized during their remaining years.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague, Representative Wasserman Schultz, for introducing this resolution, and once again express my support. I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz), who is the author of this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Quigley).

I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel).

Mr. Speaker, the Holocaust was one of the most unspeakable tragedies in history. The amount pain and suffering of those individuals who endured the terror of the Nazi regime can never be quantified.

House Concurrent Resolution 323 is an important resolution that calls on our Nation to ensure that Holocaust survivors are afforded appropriate resources in order to live their remaining years with dignity.

I am thankful that we live in a country that continues to cherish individual freedoms and maintains an unbreakable bond with Israel. It's imperative that our Nation teach lessons from the past, be a force for tolerance, and build upon shared democratic values and desire for security and stability.

With this in mind, I was proud to introduce H.R. 6363, the Supporting Law Enforcement through Lessons of the Holocaust Act earlier this Congress.

This legislation creates a new 4-year grant at the Department of Justice, our State and local law enforcement agencies, to carry out the programs that will teach these officers about the implications of the Holocaust for modern day law enforcement professionals.

Stories of personal struggle from the Holocaust live on through our historic records, families, friends and survivors of that horrific time. Our Nation owes it to the survivors to ensure their security and safety with utmost priority.

With that, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Klein).

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.